FAITH CAPSULE: Thank God for Jesus the Peace of God.

Jeremiah 29: 4-14, John 16:25-33

Jesus said, “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Jesus came to give abundant life. He also stated another place that, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) Jesus did not stop talking about peace when He further stated, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”(John 16:33) In all of the words of Jesus above, it is clear that having abundant life is inhabited in the peace that Jesus brought. This is to say that receiving and having Jesus, the gift, the reason for the season into our life is where abundant life is. Challenges will come and the enemy will roar but with Jesus, the Peace of God, the enemies will fail to rear its head against one. It is only the peace that comes from God that will give true hope for your future. God was speaking to the children of Israel who were being carried away as captives from Jerusalem to Babylon. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God made the captives know that His thoughts for them were ones of peace, not evil. The message of God is that peace, not evil, gives your future hope. Determination will fail, effort will not answer, and human plans will only work for a while before they fail. There is no substitute for the peace of God when there is a need for motion in your life. When Jesus was crucified, the disciples went and shut themselves up. The disciples were afraid of those who crucified Jesus (John 20:19). The disciples could not move, because they thought their future and hope had also been crucified. Thank God for Jesus the Peace of God. Behind the closed door, Jesus showed up and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Where there is no peace, evil will take its place. Praying for the peace of God in these evil days will cause a believer to live a life that has a future and a hope in Christ Jesus. It is recorded in Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” These words of Paul the apostle, inspired by the Holy Spirit, are necessary prayer points to live by on a daily basis. God will answer your prayer in Jesus’ name.

Prayer for today: Let Your mercies come to also to me O Lord-Your salvation according to Your word. (Psalm 119:41)